-
Job Description
Description
The Department
The City of Palo Alto is the only city-owned utility in California that operates its own utilities including electric, fiberoptic, natural gas, water and wastewater services and we have been providing quality services to the citizens and businesses of Palo Alto since 1896. The City is seeking multiple General Laborer - H and one Journey Level Laborer- H to work in the Water-Gas-Wastewater Operations department. The General Laborer - H positions will be assigned to the Cross-bore Project. The Journey Level Laborer - H position may be assigned to assist the Water, Sewer, or Gas Operations and Maintenance crews, Paving Restoration Crew, Meter Shop, or other operations as needed.
The Position
General Laborer Hourly: To ensure the safety of the City of Palo Alto's residents and utility infrastructure, Water-Gas-Wastewater Operations will be conducting an inspection of specific wastewater lateral, referred to as the Cross-bore Project. A "cross-bore" is when a pipe is installed by trenchless technology and inadvertently penetrates pre-existing pipe in its path. The goal of the Cross-bore Project is to camera specified wastewater laterals and ensure that no cross-bores exist. The Department is seeking 3 General Laborer Hourly positions to complete this project.
Journey Level Laborer Hourly: The Journey Level Laborer Hourly position will be tasked with assisting the Water-Gas-Wastewater Operations Department involving physical labor in or on buildings, construction sites, demolition sites, streets, sidewalks. or on other construction projects. The position will use independent judgment similar to that expected of a journey-level laborer and woks under general supervision. The Department is seeking 1 Journey Level Laborer Hourly position.
Schedule for both General and Journey Laborer Hourly: 9/80 schedule (with every other Friday off)
This is an SEIU Hourly (limited-benefits) position that is budgeted to not exceed 1,000 hours per fiscal year. The number of hours per week and schedule will be determined based on assignment.
Ideal Candidate Qualifications
General Laborer Hourly:- Prior experience in utility locating, pipeline inspection, construction, or related field.
- Skilled in the use of hand tools.
- Ability to operate a push camera.
- Basic computer skills for data entry, reporting, and mapping.
- Ability to read and interpret utility maps, as-builts, and construction drawings.
- Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
- Capable of lifting 50 lbs. and performing manual labor as needed.
- Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy.
- Safety-focused mindset.
- Ability to communicate professionally with the community.
- Good problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.
- Professional communication and teamwork skills when coordinating with utility crews and supervisors.
- Experience working with underground utilities, concrete, asphalt, pipe installation, or similar heavy labor tasks.
- Skilled in safe use of hand tools, power tools, and construction equipment (e.g., jackhammers, compactors, saws).
- Endurance to stand, bend, dig, and work outdoors in all weather conditions for extended periods.
- Capable of lifting 50 lbs. and performing manual labor as needed.
- Reliable and punctual with a strong work ethic.
- Safety conscious and able to follow instructions with attention to detail.
- Team oriented but able to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Strong communication skills with supervisors, crew members, and the public.
- Commitment to quality workmanship and continuous improvement.
- Possess a Class A or B Drivers License
Minimum Qualifications
General and Journey Level Laborer Minimum Qualifications:- Requires a High School Diploma or it's equivalent AND
- 1 year of related experience
Supplemental Information
Hourly Salary Ranges
Depending on the applicant's qualifications, the position will be filled at the appropriate level/salary of either General Laborer Hourly or Journey Level Laborer Hourly.
General Laborer Hourly: $34.31 - $47.18
Journey Level Laborer Hourly: $34.31 - $54.89
Recruitment Timeline (All dates subject to change):
Panel Interview: Week of October 13th
Final Interview: Week of October 20th
Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
City of Palo Alto offers the following benefits to those in a SEIU Hourly position:
Medical Stipend
$3.80 effective the pay period including July 1, 2024.
Sick Leave
Earn .03 hour of sick leave for each hour worked.
Retirement
City of Palo Alto PST (Part-time, Seasonal & Temporary Employees) Retirement Plan
Please note: The City does not participate in CA State Disability Insurance (SDI) or Social Security.
Closing Date/Time: 9/30/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
-
-
City of Palo Alto
Show moreThe Community
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. The community's treelined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage, and, at the same time, many world-class businesses maintain or started offices here, such as Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Amazon, Broadcom, Hewlett-Packard, Houzz, Rivian, SAP and SAP Ariba, Tesla, and Varian Medical Systems. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the start-up capital of the world. Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community's dedication to lifelong learning. Stanford's cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City's exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public-school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation. Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy featuring premium shopping and dining options. Excellent healthcare facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are some of the community's incredibly desirable and cherished amenities. To learn more, visit https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/City-Manager/Latest-NewsCity Government
Palo Alto is a full-service charter city with a council-manager form of government. The seven-member City Council is elected at large, and the City Council annually selects the Mayor and Vice Mayor from among its members. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Auditor. The City Manager is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the City. Palo Alto is organized into 15 departments/offices with 1,093.10 authorized positions in FY 2025. There is also a FY 2025 capital budget of $316.2 million. Palo Alto owns and operates its own utilities, including electricity (carbon-neutral), gas, water, wastewater, and an expanding fiber network. This dynamic municipal environment ensures an ever-engaging platform for unique problem-solving and advances new initiatives, including sustainability, broadband, and effective service delivery. Community assets also include five libraries, 36 parks, five community centers, a museum and zoo, youth centers, a general aviation airport, an 18-hole golf course, a regional water treatment plant, and wildland open space preserves at the San Francisco Bay and in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains offering 41 miles of walking/biking trails in addition to its police, fire, and ambulance services. Palo Alto has long been a leader in sustainability, and the City's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals are part of what sets it apart. Since the City's first Climate Protection Plan was passed in 2007, Palo Alto has set goals that exceed State and Federal targets. Today, the City's goal to reduce emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the "80x30" goal) and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 guides sustainability efforts. An award-winning City, Palo Alto is recognized nationally as innovative and well-managed. City services and performance also receive impressive marks from community members in the Palo Alto Community Survey.
Many of those ratings put City programs and services in the highest percentiles among the hundreds of benchmark cities. Palo Alto makes decisions through comprehensive processes and proactively seeks to involve its extremely informed, educated, and engaged residents. Projects are naturally a cooperative effort among the City Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees, engaged residents, neighborhoods, businesses, property owners, and staff.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government. We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
Want to learn more about our benefits? Learn more by reviewing our "Benefits at a Glance Booklet."
Contact Us
Phone: 650-329-2376
Email: Recruit@paloalto.gov
Location: City Hall, 1st Floor | 250 Hamilton Ave 94301 | View Map
-